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Review
. 2025 Jul 22;30(1):652.
doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02801-2.

Impact of liraglutide on albumin-to-creatinine ratio in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis

Feng Wang  1 , Guangzhong Xu  1 , Wei Feng  2 , Gengbao Qu  1 , Pengyu Li  1 , Kai Li  3
Affiliations
Review

Impact of liraglutide on albumin-to-creatinine ratio in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis

Feng Wang et al. Eur J Med Res. .

Abstract

Aims: Emerging evidence suggested that liraglutide possessed the potential to improve the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to ascertain the impact of liraglutide on ACR in T2DM.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, WanFang and CNKI were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to November 30, 2024 (PROSPERO: CRD52025336785). The data were pooled using fixed- or random-effects models based on the heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses and publication bias assessments were performed.

Results: Seven RCTs involving 473 participants were included. Liraglutide significantly reduced ACR (WMD: - 11.76 mg/g, 95% CI, - 21.71 to - 1.81, I2 = 75%, P = 0.02) compared to controls (placebo or active drugs). Subgroup analysis revealed significant ACR reductions in patients with HbA1c > 8.0%, follow-up > 12 weeks, and age < 60 years. Meta regression indicated that heterogeneity was not influenced by sample size, HbA1c, baseline ACR, treatment duration, or liraglutide dosage (P = 0.92; 95% CI, - 322.34 to 340.66). The results were stable based in sensitivity analysis, and no publication bias was detected (Begg's P = 0.46; Egger's P = 0.57).

Conclusions: Liraglutide significantly reduced ACR in T2DM, particularly in patients with poor glycemic control, longer treatment duration, and younger age. Future studies with extended follow-up are needed to confirm its renoprotective benefits.

Keywords: Albumin-to-creatinine ratio; Liraglutide; Randomized controlled trials; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of the number of studies identified in the meta-analysis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Assessment of bias in the included studies according to Cochrane criteria
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot of the impact of liraglutide versus comparators on ACR in T2DM
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Leave-one-out sensitivity test for the effect of liraglutide on ACR in T2DM
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Assessment of publication bias in the meta-analysis estimating the impact of liraglutide on ACR
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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